Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP)

Background to RBP changes in community/assemblage composition used to evaluate existence and degree of impact on an ecosystem Can infer functional changes by evaluating structural changes Not designed to provide definitive answer, id systems needing in-depth evaluation Base on two assessments –Biological assessment –Habitat assessment

Biological Assessment Evaluates overall biological condition from a few samples (must keep seasonality in mind) Assumes composition of benthic community will reflect an integrated response to environmental effects over time Can be performed at many levels 1 st level is Functional Feeding Groups of benthic macroinvertebrates (mostly larval stages of aquatic insects)

Advantages of Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates Limited migration = good for upstream/downstream evaluation Usually have complex life cycle > 1 year  can integrate long-term impact Very quick and easy to determine degraded condition by experienced sampler Sampling easy with few people, inexpensive, no detrimental effect on resident biota (no rotenone) Benthic inverts usually abundant (and serve as food source) State agencies often keep data bases on benthic mac. to be used for comparisons

Habitat Assessment Evaluate habitat, then predict what stream organisms should be there Is “poor” bioassessment due to poor habitat or ecosystem stress (or combination)?

Stream Habitat Assessment Bottom substrate Embeddedness Flow Channel alteration Bottom scouring/ deposition >50% rubble, gravel, logs, other stable habitat < 25% surrounded by fine sediments Cold >0.05 cms (2 cfs); warm >0.15 cms (5 cfs) No enlargement of islands /bars, no channelization <5% of bottom affected by scouring and deposition Variable Excellent Habitat

Stream Habitat Assessment Pool/rifle, run/bend ratio (distance between riffles/stream width) Bank stability Bank vegetation Streamside cover 5 – 7 (>25 is poor) Stable (no evidence of erosion or bank failure > 80% of bank surfaces covered by vegetation, boulders or cobble Dominant vegetation is shrub, secondarily trees Variable Excellent Habitat

PSU students collecting